American Splendor

The world of comics doesn't just include the generally known characters and symbols of pop culture, such as superheroes like Batman, Spiderman, or Superman. Although similar titles clearly dominate in terms of volume, there has always been a stream of alternative comics that aimed to reflect the real world and its real problems, representing a non-commercial but nonetheless interesting part of the low-budget comic book production. One of the heroes and symbols of this independent creation is a guy named Harvey Pekar, who is everything but a ladies' idol and a superhero. Instead of fighting villains and monsters, he battles with his anxieties, comfort, bad luck, and unfortunately, also with cancer. The film takes place in a tragicomic setting and has autobiographical traits because the screenplay author actually describes his own life's destinies in it. Rarely can I say that I have such a sense of belonging to a film character because just entering his office gives me a sense of small victory, that there is at least one person on this planet who is a bigger mess than I am. American Splendor is a small film that doesn't offer shocking twists and bombastic effects, but it is deeply human and likable. Overall impression: 75%. (18/11/2010)

Paul Giamatti is such a good actor that you will watch every character he plays because he plays them well. It's also great that Harvey Pekar is part of the film, which only reinforces the interesting cult of personality that has developed around him thanks to the comics. This is what a biopic should be and it is very good. (16/01/2018)

Harvey Pekar is not your ordinary human. His unorthodox character made the creators of American Splendor shoot this film about him. Paul Giamatti thus stars in another one of his intellectual roles, in which he is sometimes replaced by Harvey Pekar himself. So sometimes we see Giamatti as Pekar and sometimes Pekar plays himself. This is intertwined with the world of comic books, and you’ll see more nutjobs together than is the norm, which is alright in case of this movie. If you manage to tune to its wavelength, you’ll be definitely satisfied. (01/02/2015)